In honor of what would've been Michael Jackson's 54th birthday, the hometown of the late pop icon is throwing a four-day long celebration.

Jackson's three kids, Paris, Blanket and Prince, along with his mom Katherine and sister La Toya, have been spotted by TMZ in Gary, Indiana, for the event, which launches today.

Wednesday evening will see a candlelight ceremony outside of MJ's childhood home; his kids are expected to throw the first pitch at a RailCats game Thursday; and a red carpet reception will be held on Friday in honor of his mother.

On Saturday, fans are invited to attend a concert featuring a tribute artist and the Gratitude Project, among others, at the West Side Theatre Guild. Tickets to a matinee show cost $25, while an evening program will run fans $35 a ticket.

Jackson's memory, of course, will extend far beyond August 29. Around Thanksgiving, ABC will air Spike Lee's documentary, "BAD25," which focuses on the elements that created Jackson's seminal album, "BAD."

The classic's 25th anniversary will be honored on September 18, and Lee's doc supplies the "first ever, behind-the-scenes film project to chronicle a Michael Jackson album and tour," ABC said in a statement.

"This will be a very special Thanksgiving for all families to enjoy the genius of Michael Jackson," added filmmaker Lee. "Big thanks to ABC for allowing people to witness the making of Michael Jackson's 'BAD' album. Shamon."

The truth of his humanity is a story of a holy man. He was not only a great artist, he was above all a man of great faith and a man of love for the entire planet. The most famous man on earth was a gift from God.
"...But I will never stop helping and loving people
the way Jesus said to."- Michael Jackson

I wanted to apologize for my entry: "Americans are afraid of the truth. You killed a man. That's the truth. The victim of American iniquity and wickedness".
Michael loved his country. He believed in the American justice system. Michael in 2005 :
"..I love my community and I have great faith in our justice system. Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court. I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen. I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told."
Michael was acquitted. Michael was very humble. Michael has set high ethical standards and that is why I have to apologize for my words. Despite the pain he was faithful to the end of the message of love. His words on the tape Murray:"... I'm taking that money, a million children, children's hospital, the biggest in the world, Michael Jackson Children's Hospital. ... I feel their pain. I feel their hurt. ..".
Words of love and concern for children. He was a great example to the world.

Michael sacrificed life for others. He lived for the children. He helped the sick and the those in need. An angel on earth. Crucified angel. His life had meaning. his suffering made ​​sense. It changes people's hearts. He was an example of humanity.
Man in the mirror.

A friend Michael said, the media knew about MJ skin disease. Media knew it from the beginning. Lie was deliberate. Media did this to hurt mJ. Vitiligo is a terrible disease, especially for black people. Media with premeditation lied to the public.
After Michael's death was a report from the autopsy of the body, which showed the truth (vitiligo). Media not apologized.

America has great artists. Media in this country glorifies celebrities and artists destroy. Artists with talent to focus on creative work and rarely flirting with the media. Celebrities very much like to stay in television studios. Europe will never destroy human as Americans. It's impossible. Human rights are very important to the old tariff. The man who is sick as MJ (vitiligo). In Europe, you can not make fun of sick people. This is unacceptable. Oskrażenia against an innocent man as in 93 years, and 2003. America acted ruthlessly against MJ. Breaking the rules of civilized nations destroyed the life of an innocent man.

Michael was offended by the media for 16 years. 16 years of torture. For what?. No journalist in his country did not say I'm sorry, no. The prosecutor who pursued him for 16 years receives a high retirement. Child, Gavin A. is healthy now. Michael is dead. Daily sessions hate (16 years of torture- an innocent man). Fans loved him not only for music but for his humanity.
Michael was so valuable as a man. Gentle soul suffering alone.
still no justice.
This is a personal pain for his fans.

The media in America have used cruel methods against MJ:
Humiliation tactics:
1. defamation
2. ridicule
3. unjustified criticism
4. inappropriate jokes
5. criticism appearance
(Let us remind- Michael was sick. He had vitiligo. Ridiculed sick people is not permitted).
6. intimidation
7. sarcasm
8. humiliation
Heads of major U.S. TV stations should formally apologize for unfair accusations and for the years of persecution. It will be fair. This will restore the moral order. MJ as the biggest victim of the media – it may be beginning to change the media in the media human, honest and reliable.
Apologies are necessary !!!!!!!!.

The American media is a paradise for idiots, stupid celebrities. Intellectual emptiness, lack of morality. There are no words to describe the abomination of American media.
Beautiful, spiritual world of Michael collided with barbarism of American media.

Europe is a continent for artists, America for celebrities. Michael Jackson was an artist, a great artist. Stupid, empty and sick world of American media – Michael was a human being with a soul and heart. Great talent and a good heart.

Elizabeth Taylor said: Michael is treated like dirt here. It was in the program with Larry King. The journalist in bib quickly finished discussion on MJ. You're afraid of the truth.
Mrs. Taylor was a great actress, a beautiful woman. She had a good heart, she understood Michael.

Gavin A. is healthy. Michael helped him. He helped sick children around the world. Visited hospitals in different countries: children with cancer, children burned, children in need of a transplant. He saved many lives. Who said I'm sorry Michael?.

Michael was so happy before 1993. When we watch MJ photos from that period, his eyes shining, smiling from ear to ear, happy. In 1993, Tom Sneddon appears. Then everything changes. Tom Sneddon and the media.
The media in America have used cruel methods against MJ:
humiliation tactics:
1. defamation
2. ridicule
3. unjustified criticism
4. inappropriate jokes
5. criticism appearance
(Let us remind Michael was sick. He had vitiligo. Ridiculed sick people is not permitted).
6. intimidation
7. sarcasm
8. humiliation
Who are the American journalists?. These are not journalists. It was a bandit methods.

Michael made 2 mistakes with the media(which were jokes and he thought it was truly funny) sleeping in the chamber, purchasing elephant man bones(never purchased them)...huge mistake...media blew it up and made him out to be a weirdo. this was just the beginning of the media problems meanwhile it was only a joke that he could not get away from the rest of his life.

the drugs, the depression and finally the propofol. the 2 child abuse cases were the final straw for him emotionally, heading to court for 6 months...only to have the parents confess it was a lie...what kind of parents are you? Your a disgrace and an embarrassment to parenthood.

the enablers, boxes of propofol delivered to his home..what is going on here folks..this was a weak and very sick man–
the enablers responsibliity was to say mike..sorry mike we can't do this.

Tour..sick as heck, yet record co. wants 50 citys from him. Michael needed a real force behind him that could help him, woman, man anyone that loved him for himself. Michael should still be recording now and light touring. This should have never happened to him.

" ... I see the kids in the streets,
with not enought to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs..." – Man in the mirror

"...We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
so let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me ..." – We are the world

".....Think about the generations and to say we want to make it a better
world for our children and our children's children. So that they know
it's a better world for them; and think if they can make it a better
place......
Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough
For the living
Make it a better place
For you and for me...."- Heal the world

"...What have we done to the world
Look what we've done
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son...
What about flowering fields
Is there a time
What about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from war
Did you ever stop to notice
The crying Earth the weeping shores?

I used to dream
I used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don't know where we are
Although I know we've drifted far...." – Earth song

He sang about his thoughts, feelings, desires. He was a great artist and a man.

Michael was persecuted by the media and prosecutor Tom Sneddon from 1993 until his death. This had an impact on his health. Years of torture and persecution on the part of the prosecutor and the media led to the death. That's why I say Murray was the last link in the chain. Media and scammers who falsely accused him – MJ executioners. They bear the moral responsibility for the death of Michael. These are specific people, specific names of people working in the media. They destroyed the life of an innocent man, a great artist. Michael suffered from insomnia because of these attacks. method-propofol is a drastic method to be in a state of unconsciousness. Media blamed him for everything, m even own death. Michael had vitiligo. that officials confirmed. media to deceive the public talking about intentional whitening. media harmed Michael for many years. how you can sleep in a situation where you are constantly being attacked, persecuted.

He's was on propofol since the bad tour...it was not just conrad murray...that other sleeze bag. the drugs he had in his system when he died could put a 250 pound football player to sleep for 2 days....how did this happen? why didn't somebody take a true stand? why...because he supported the moochers thats why and they didn't want to mess up his mood for their checks....

record co. was willing to send this guy on a 50 city tour with a drug addiction? that's was the first thing that crossed my mind. the interventions were not strong enough...if he was my family member, i would take a leave of absense from my job to make sure he was off propofol. Propofol is not permitted to leave a hospital ....who gave it to him?

Sleep? there are many ways to overcome sleep disorders, you don't give a weak person propofol.

@ Madge
You excuse the cruel media, and you blame MJ. Michael suffered – insomnia. He could not sleep. media did not give him a moment's peace, was still attacked. process in 2005 was the final nail in the coffin. Conrad Murray was the last link.

the media doesn't care...it was up to michael to take control his life. nobody cares about the media...mike had to make
the move to get off propofol, not the media, he had to make the move to stop the painkiller addiction not the media.

I know that Americans do not understand this cruelty. This can be seen better from a distance. It was a hunt to death. michael jackson was crucified by the U.S. media. Understanding the U.S. media is a traumatic experience. I am outraged. end.

I wish michael would have found the right woman. at least there would have been some stability and help him overcome the depression... i loved him, he was the one of the greatest dancers in history but he was a weak person.

American media. – You can destroy and kill everyone. You are strong. Hitler also was strong. He had power. He killed innocent people. Hitler and his terror- he fell because it was angry.
Hitler also used the wrong word. He talked about other people that are worse that this underclass, deprived of their dignity. U.S. media have deprived the dignity of an innocent man. It was only one person, only one man. It was Michael Jackson. Media used the children and used the disease. Children and vitiligo. Michael was sick, and Michael loved children. media method was so very cruel.

I wish michael would have found the right woman. at least there would have been some stability and help him overcome the depression... i loved him, he was the one of the greatest dancers in history but he was a weak person.

Jay leno imagine such a situation:
Jay Leno knew Gavin A. You also knew this boy. Someone might ask you a question:Are you p ..?. Cruel, is not it. You outraged such question. Michael Jackson also was outraged when he had to listen to these vile accusations. Telewziji also listened to the stupid American journalists. these were the years of persecution. jay leno, you have you taken part in it. You led programs in swioch hate campaigns.
Imagine the situation: jay leno, you're extremely ugly, you are ugly face, crooked bite. It's not your fault that you're ugly. In your life you will get another cruel comedian, who will gave remarks about your appearance. It would be sad for you. This cruel. He will not have mercy on you. You did not have mercy for Michael. This is another sytucja. Jay feud, you're ugly, and Michael was sick. He had vitiligo.
jay leno, then your life will be l terrible cheater and a prosecutor who hates you. You will have the handcuffs and stand trial. On television, you will listen to jokes about themselves. They will say that you are guilty. The court acquit you. media will chase you for many years. You will not be able to sleep.
jay leno, doctor will give you medicine and you die. then will your funeral. Your friends will give you memories. However, there will not be a small child, a little girl. jay leno, three years after your death on CNN poratalu someone writes: remembering jay leno. Jay leno is funny hipotytyczna sytacja you. You are happy. Destroyed the life of an innocent man

"As you know, Michael Jackson late again to court twice this week have you seen him? Two people helping him walk into the building; he's constantly late; he's crying a lot; he's walking stiffly I think he's going through menopause." –Jay Leno

"A lot of people thought Michael Jackson was faking it yesterday but people who know Michael say he does have back problems that flare up from time to time. Like when he's on trial for child molestation." –Jay Leno

"According to the news, Michael Jackson is broke and can't even afford the payroll at Neverland Ranch. So the next time you see Michael with his hands in a 12-year-old's pocket, he might just be looking for lunch money." –Jay Leno

"When people leave this show, when people leave my show, I want them to say, 'I've never seen nothing like this in my life. Go. Go. I've never seen nothing like this. Go. It's amazing. He's the greatest entertainer in the world.' I'm taking that money, a million children, children's hospital, the biggest in the world, Michael Jackson Children's Hospital. Going to have a movie theater, game room."
"Children are depressed. The - in those hospitals, no game room, no movie theater. They're sick because they're depressed. Their mind is depressing them. I want to give them that. I care about them, them angels. God wants me to do it. God wants me to do it. I'm going to do it, Conrad."
"Don't have enough hope, no more hope," Jackson said. "That's the next generation that's going to save our planet, starting with - we'll talk about it. United States, Europe, Prague, my babies. They walk around with no mother. They drop them off, they leave - a psychological degradation of that. They reach out to me: 'Please take me with you.'"
"That will be remembered more than my performances. My performances will be up there helping my children and always be my dream. I love them. I love them because I didn't have a childhood. I had no childhood. I feel their pain. I feel their hurt. I can deal with it. 'Heal the World,' 'We Are the World,' 'Will You Be There,' 'The Lost Children.' These are the songs I've written because I hurt, you know, I hurt."- tape Murray

MJ even under the influence of medications talks about helping children. That was his purpose on earth. He wanted to be remembered not only as an artist but most of all he was concerned about the future of children, our planet. MJ was crucified. He devoted himself. Until his death. This is a great example to the world. This should lead to reflection.

The fall of of the American media in current form will be good for all. You are bad people, liars, cheaters, who are building careers at the cost of of other people. MJ was your biggest victim.
Attacks of the media caused insomnia and finally death. American journalists are wicked men without honor.
Media have blood on their hands !!!!!!.

American journalists are deprived of ethics, morals and integrity. You have shown your barbaric methods of work. Where is the honesty?. Where is the justice?. Where is the truth?. What about human rights?. Why sick of vitiligo michael was still attacked by American journalists?. Why not speak prawday media about his skin disease?. Why is the media in America did not show michaela charity for children. He helped around the world. American media did not show it. Destroyed the life of an innocent man. His own country. It is shocking how America treated him. civilized country?? .

Democracy is respect for human rights. Human rights are very important. In U.S. MJ was deprived of rights. Democracies do not bully people. Civilized countries do not make fun of sick people. MJ had vitiligo. America has destroyed an innocent man.
Let me repeat once again: Honest people despise the American media, which violate human rights. Honest people despise the American media that destroyed an innocent, good man.

U.S. media have to right wrongs done to an innocent man. . Attorney (S) and the media destroyed the life of an innocent man. MJ had a skin disease (vitiligo). What did the media?. Jay Leno and others – cruel jokes. It was a violation of human rights. MJ sacrificed his life for the children.

I hear that those jasksons were booed at and had poo thrown at them when they tried to have that tour this past spring summer. I also hear they want to go back on tour with mj performing as a hologram like tupac at coachella. stoopid fkn ni&&ers....they are almost as fat and bloated as elvis was....id phuck janet..but therest of em..they can burn in hell

That bleached plastic freak is a sodomite and buggerer, defiling innocent youngsters to satisy his own depraved perversions. If there is an afterlife, his soul burns. If there's not, he's molding in a grave, and that's some consolation. You were a blight on earth, debaucherer: Happy you are gone!

"Think about the generations and to say we want to make it a better
world for our children and our children's children. So that they know
it's a better world for them; and think if they can make it a better
place...."- Heal the world -Michael Jackson

It's so sad that some of you don't have a clue. Janet does not want nor need MJ's money. Randy and Rebbie are not rolling in the dough but I think that their heart is in the right place. Michael had an on again, off again business relationship with one of the executors throughout the years. Michael suspected that this man had been stealing his money. But he was rehired a week prior to Michael's death. Now, Katherine and the kids receives hefty allowances but not as hefty as it should be because of the amount of the flow of cash coming in. Yes, the executors turned around a near bankrupt Jackson as he's done for the Presley Estate, but this is a mixed bag.

according to reports....he was paying for colleges for nephews, weddings for nieces and nephews..supporting them all..what the heck was this muching and using–he would say no, manipulated and caved. thats no the way to treat
a family member.

no proof –families confessed they lied and so did that gay guy....there was no reason to treat mike that way..yes he was strange. he was weak and could not "punch back" - on stage is was the master of dance

mddiva35 @John: Which evidence you are talking about you idiots?? Just because you both come from screwed up families and backround you do not have the right to judge when you do not know. All of a sudden morons like you pretend to be experts and express their opinons via their stupidity. Go n get a life you losat cases and get back to that hole where u originaly grewup. LOOSERS

I don't think he did anything to those kids. I think I was all for the money. The length that some people would go through for the greed of money is amazing. I wonder how long they held on to that money and what karma came back to them. Were there any solid proof that he did these things to these kids? I wasn't much of a fan to his music but R.I.P. dude.

I find it sooooooooooooo funny that the same people who says he a drug addict and feel like they can't support him are the same people who are "so in love and honor" ELVIS....who I might add also had a drug issue. If you don't like MJ's music cool. I don't even know why you bother to waste precious time out of your day to comment KNOWING you can't get that time back. Do ALL of us a favor (and by us I mean the people who loved MJ and supported him throughout the years) and take your hateful comments somewhere else. Clearly some of you don't have any home training because I was taught that if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it at all and to honor the dead.

I myself dont know what to say to all the hate , but those are people's opinions and they are allowed that no matter what. I grew up listening to MJ and felt like he was the best ever when I was a kid. I play his music to this day. In my mind there are 2 seperate people to be viewed MJ the person and MJ the entertainer. MJ the person draws many questions and negative ideas while MJ the entertainer can no doubt be viewed as an amazing talent the likes we may never say again. We cant judge what we never knew – God is responsible for that let it be to him, but again opinions are still opinons.

I'm really not getting how a pedophile can be held in such high regard. This is like Penn State overlooking Sandusky's child molesting episodes because, hey man, he can sure win some football games! Michael Jackson was one sick dude. My sympathies are with his victims, not remembering how he danced and his music.

Tell me, if you're a fan, are you compartmentalizing his contributions from his transgressions, and on balance, his contributions were greater so let's forgive and forget him seducing, intoxicating, and molesting juveniles?

SHAWNDA this comment is for you: Go n get a life u boring nature individual. How can u comment, in such manner unless u were there yourself or I get the impression that these comments resemble your own life looser!

The evidence was there. Too bad MJ had enough money to buy off all those families of the kids he abused. Any grown man who surrounds himself with children, has sleep overs & sleeps in the same bed with them, has a secret playroom, is mostly likely an abuser. No I wasn't there, but the facts speak for themselves. MJ was a creepy little person. He was a good entertainer, though. Hey, if you want to love him, that's on you. I don't admire creepy abusers.

I think if MJ was such a pedophile we would have seen what we saw with Sandusky. Kids were coming out the woodwork with allegations against Sandusky. We didn't see this with MJ. There was no proof MJ did anything to those kids where as with Sandusky someone actually saw him molesting a kid and there were grown men who had been molested by him who admitted to such actions. While I think MJ had cloudy judgements when it came to those kids I don't believe he molested them therefore is not a pedophile.

so – MJ's sin is different from yours and now you feel you have the right to judge him? We are ALL sinners. And none of us really knows with certainty what MJ did and did not do. When it comes to his music – he was a SUPERSTAR in the very sense of it!

Again, he had the money to buy off all the families that would come out of the woodwork. If you don't believe it, that's on you. I'm not here to change your opinion. My opinion is that he did molest a lot of kids. I think he was a severely damaged person. I'm sure he didn't think he was hurting anyone, but that was part of his sickness.

technically there was no proof and the second boy confessed he lied. that is where I hurt inside for people.
i do not know mj but i can still feel and this guy went through heck and back, the family was crazy – controlled
him ...very sad..but he was a great talent.

technically there was no proof and the second boy confessed he lied. that is where hurt inside for people.
i do not know mj but i can still feel and this guy went through heck and back, the family was crazy - controlled
him ...very sad..but he was a great talent.

Yes, the guy was a little weird but there's no doubt that he was extremely talented. As for the pedophilia, what ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I'm on the fence about that one. There are so many money hungry people out there that would try to exploit his unique personality but making accusations such as those.

Im sure that his worthless leeching no talent family is going to milk this all they can. Has any of them ever had a real job instead of laying around gettin fat off fried chikin, ribs and chitlings while draining mj s dinero. But wat do u expect? Im sure they found a way to get food stamps and welfare cks as well...fkn pindejos...pinche madre cavron....

Jackson's family will use ANY excuse to tap his fans and fill their pockets. No wonder he kept his distance from this money-grubbing bunch while he was alive. That's most tragic thing about his death...now his kids are left to be exploited just like he was.

I'm with Warren: there are some evil insensitive people on this blog. God forbid your friend/loved one dies...how would you like to see a blog full of strangers typing words packed with scorn and contempt for your deceased relative?

I've always felt the same way. MJ was a deeply disturbed person, from hacking up his face, to going after little boys, and not to mention being a drug addict. He may have been a very good entertainer, but he sucked at being a normal human being.

ha funny... i have a education.. just was typing to fast... by the way plenty of people will miss me...i dont have to sit around and worship pop stars and actors there are more important people in my life than that

I'm still not too sure who you are talking about. Was he one of athe Osmond Brothers or something? I've heard of DonnIe and Marie Osmond. They are good Mormons. Not too sure about this Michael guy though. Guess I should try looking him up on the Internet.

Did you know The Hollywood Museum celebrates Michael Jackson's birthday with a special tribute to the King of Pop, including the original outfit he wore on his Bad World Tour? Read more here: http://www.thehollywoodmuseum.com/mjbirthday2012